Effect of ethyl chloride spray on pain, patient & nurse satisfaction, and adverse effects during IV cannulation:...

To evaluate patients' pain perception and satisfaction, with ethyl chloride spray compared to placebo during intravenous cannulation.

A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial in emergency-observation ward of a tertiary-care-hospital was conducted from February 2023 to January 2024. A total of 417 patients were randomly assigned to experimental (n = 209) or control group (n = 208). Patients underwent intravenous cannulation in antecubital fossa (left/right). Pain perception and patient satisfaction following the use of ethyl-chloride-spray (ECS) compared to placebo, assessed using a 0-10 Verbal-Numeric-Rating-Scale and satisfaction questionnaire. Nurses' satisfaction with ECS and placebo, evaluated by Likert-scale, along with the observation of adverse effects. Final data analyzed using STATA, included 404 participants (202 in each group).

Demographic, clinical profile, and baseline pain perception scores between groups did not show any significant differences. Experimental group reported significantly less pain than control (p < 0.001). Nurses found cannulation easier in 43% of experimental cases versus 33% in controls (p < 0.001). In experimental group, 81% of patients were satisfied and recommended ECS for future use. In both groups, no adverse effects were reported.

Ethyl chloride spray significantly reduced pain perception during intravenous cannulation. High levels of patient satisfaction and nurse endorsement for pain management during IV cannulation.

https://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/login.php, identifier is CTRI/2019/09/021285.